Probably thanks to George Clooney, the first Italian holiday lake that comes to mind for most non-Europeans is Lake Como. Bigger however at 370km2, less pricey, and arguably with more things to do, is Lake Garda, situated across three regions of northern Italy; Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige.

The coast of the lake is dotted with many holiday towns, catering for families or cashed-up couples. There are water parks, theme parks, bike rides, restaurants, water sports, gold clubs, roman ruins, and a castle or two.

We took a 45-minute drive from Brescia, and spent a day in Sirmione on the lake’s south coast, where the medieval Castello Scaligero overlooks the lake on a pointed peninsula, and welcomes travellers into the town. It was over 30 degrees, and the area was packed. The city-centre is car-free, so parking was a nightmare…until a beautiful Italiana ushered us into her space AND gave us her ticket for the rest of the day.

Pizza, gelato (including Milana’s bizarre Black Hawaii charcoal-flavoured choice), and buying holiday trinkets followed. Perfetto!